Flue cleaner



May 23, 1933. T. E; OLSON 8 FLUE CLEANER Filed March 10, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l E HIIIIIIIIIIF Z g' 2 May 23, 1933. V OLSON 1,910,358

FLUE CLEANER Filed March 10, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [NVENTOR @070 Patented May 23, 1933.

UNITED STATES PATENT; OFFICE THORWALD E. OLSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ALICE M. OLSON, OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FLUE CLEANER Application filed Mamh'IO, 1932. Serial No. 597,951.

This invention relates to that type of flue cleaners or scrapers in which a plurality of cleaning or scraping blades of resilient plate metal are fixedly mounted on a centrally carrying stem or bar of a length adapted for convenient manuel manipulation of the implement. The plurality of blades having a longitudinally spaced and transversely staggered relation one to the 1 other, so that in the movement of the implement within a flue all parts of the inner circular wall of the flue will receive a cleaning or scraping action on the part of the blades. And this improvement has for its object:

To provide a structural formation and combination of parts in an implement of the type above referred to, whereby a very durable formation and mounting of the clean- 2 ing or scraping blades is attained, and with which uniform resiliency is provided in each blade and its segmental outer and free edge will be maintained in proper transverse relation to the inner wall of the flue operated on, in the normal flexure of the blade in actual use, all as will hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation illustrating the preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation showing the central carrying stem or bar and the clamping collars by which the plurality of cleaning or scraping blades or units are fixedly mounted on the stem or bar.

Fig. 3 is an elevation illustrating the dual and preferred form of a cleaning or scraping unit of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a similar view of the same illustrating the staggered relation between adjacent cleaning or scraping units.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the outer face of the fixed clamping collar of the implement, with the carrying stem or bar shown in section.

Fig. 6 is a similar view of the inner face of said fixed collar, with the carrying stem or bar shown in section.

Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the outer face of the adjustable clamping collar, as-

sociated carrying bar or stem and adjusting nut.

Fig. 8 is a similar view of the inner face of the adjustable clamping collar, with the carrying stem or bar shown in section.

Fig. 9 is an elevation ofa modified form of the dual cleaning or scraping blade unit, adapting the same for convenient and effective use in cleaning the smaller type of fines.

Fig. 10 is a detail longitudinal view il lustrating the resilient action of the cleaning or scraping. blades in a practical use in the interior of aflue. I

Like reference numerals indicate like parts in the several views.

In the preferred form of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 10, each of the plurality of cleaning or scraping units, comprises blades 1 of resilient plate metal, having approximately straight parallel side edges, and with curved end edges, and with each blade having an unbroken area, except as to rivet receiving orifices by which the blade is fixedly mounted in its carrying member now to be described.

Each carrying member or unit above referred to, comprises a pair of counter part sections or halves which in turn comprises an orificed hub portion 2 adapted to encircle the carrying stem or bar 3 of the implement for fixed attachment thereon, with the hub portion provided with one or more lateral prongs 2 between opposed pairs of which a blade 1 is fixedly secured by rivets 1 or like fastening means which pass through orifices in the prongs 2 and blade 1 to attain a firm and substantial attachment between the parts. 7

In the preferred construction shown, the lateral prongs 2' have a tapering form in order that the exposed area of the blades 1 between their outer edgesand the edges of the prongs 2' .will be of an even and uniform extent, and so that the flexure of the blades in actual use will take place on lines longitudinal of the implement with an avoidance of torsional strain and twisting movement of the blades with the resulting advantages lOO of extended life in the blades and efiective operation thereof in actual use.

In the modified type of the cleaning unit, shown in Fig. 9, the cleaning or scraping blades 1 are curtailed in length and secured at one end to the prongs 2 of the carrying member, with a view to provide a compact structure for use in the smaller sizes of boiler flues.

The carrying stem or bar 3, is adaptedto receive the desired plurality of cleaning and scraping units of the present type, and is provided near one end with a stop or abutment collar 4 for said units, and at its inner end with an adjustable clamping collar 5 which in conjunction with an adjustable nut 6 on the stem or bar 3 is adapted to firmly bind the plurality of cleaning and scraping units in proper operative relation on said stem or bar.

Means for directing and insuring a ready and correct assemblage of the parts in the relation above set forth will be provided by the maker of the implements, as usual in implements of the present type and in similar implements in the allied arts.

Having thus fully described my invention which I claim as new, is 7- 1. A unit for flue cleaning implements of the type herein set forth, comprising an orificed hub adapted for mounting on the carrying stem of the implement and having a laterally extending prong, and a cleaning ,blade of resilient plate metal fixedly attached to said prong in lateral relation to said hub.

2. A unit for flue cleaning implements as specified in claim 1, and wherein the cleaning blade is attached at its mid-extent by rivets passing through orifices in said blade and said prong and projects equally in both directions from said prong.

3. A unit for flue cleaning implements of the type herein set forth, comprising'an attaching member formed in halves, each having an orificed hub adapted for mounting on the carrying stem of the implement and a pair of prongs extending from opposite side of said hub, and individual cleaning blades of resilient plate metal secured between pairs of said prongs in lateral relation to the carrying hub thereof.

In; Witness whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature.

THORWALD E. oLsoN. 

